Google Might Create Map App for iPhones

Apple ditched Google Maps, and critics aren't happy
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 20, 2012 3:43 PM CDT
Google Might Create Map App for iPhones
A Google Maps search for hotels near Austin, Texas, is seen in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Google)

If you're one of the people wailing and gnashing your teeth because Apple removed Google Maps from iOS 6, take hope: Google's making it pretty clear it wants to make a standalone map app available. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Google UK's marketing director said iPhone users "can still use Google Maps by downloading them." Of course, that's off the mark, 9to5 Mac points out—there is currently no such download in the app store. You can get to Google Maps via the browser, but it's not ideal.

SearchEngineLand asked Google to clarify. "Our goal is to make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser, or operating system," the company replied, without elaborating. That seems cagey, so "stay tuned," writes Danny Sullivan. A dedicated app can't come soon enough for many users. Apple's new maps app is so buggy and confoundable that a Tumblr has cropped up for users to post screenshots of its failure, BoingBoing reports. It's derisively titled, "The Amazing iOS 6 Maps." (More Google Maps stories.)

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